A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional that a policyholder can hire to help them resolve an insurance claim. They are knowledgeable in the tricks, tactics and strategies that insurance companies use to reduce claims, and act as a liaison between the policyholder and the insurance company. A public adjuster is a state-licensed insurance professional who specializes in managing all aspects of an insurance claim on behalf of the policyholder. When a policyholder chooses to hire a public adjuster, they will evaluate the damage to their property, help determine the extent of the repairs, and evaluate the replacement value of those repairs.
If they question the damage or how much it might cost to repair them, they may decide to go to a contractor for a second opinion. The public adjuster will also act as an advocate for the policyholder, ensuring that they receive a fair and favorable agreement from the insurance company. The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) Board of Directors lists all public adjustment firms that must have a license in their state of operation. According to this law, a public adjuster is any person who, in exchange for some form of compensation and on behalf of the insured, acts or assists in the negotiation or settlement of first-party claims covered by an insurance contract.
Highly experienced public adjusters have extensive experience in many or all categories of disaster and loss claims. They are also responsible for adjusting losses, advising an insured person, or investigating first-party claims in an insurance contract. Nearly all good public adjusters are not only state-licensed, but they also have years of experience working in the highly complex insurance industry. Hiring a public adjuster can be beneficial for policyholders who have had bad experiences with claims in the past.
They can help navigate each stage of the claim process and ensure that their clients receive a fair and favorable agreement from their insurance company.
